The Coast Guard says that both boaters put on life jackets and were unable to keep up with the water entering the vessel, as it was coming in at an estimated 80 gallons per minute,.

The boaters believe they struck a submerged log, which tore off the engine's lower unit.

The search and rescue controller at Sector Sault Ste. Marie immediately began issuing urgent marine information broadcasts, alerting nearby mariners of the emergency. They also directed the launch of a rescue boatcrew from Coast Guard Station Bayfield and a rescue helicopter from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Michigan.

The rescue boat crew arrived on scene within 12 minutes and began using a dewatering pump on the pleasure craft to keep it afloat. The distressed boat was towed to Blackwater Marine in Bayfield.

No injuries were reported in this incident.

Commander Marko Broz, chief of response at Sector Sault Ste. Marie, said that the boaters did everything right. He said they contacted the Coast Guard quickly via VHF-FM marine radio and made sure they were wearing life jackets.